System and method for tuning device link profiles for color printing

ABSTRACT

System and method for tuning device link profiles for color printing are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a printer to print a color target on a substrate during a production run of a printing operation; a color measurement device to measure first color space values of the color target; and a processor to: compare the first measured color space values to reference color space values to identify a difference between the first measured color space values and the reference color space values; compare the difference to a tolerance range; in response to the difference being outside of the tolerance range, generate a second device profile to enable a difference between second measured color space values and the reference color values to be within the tolerance range; calibrate the printer based on the second device profile; and continue the printing operation using the second device profile.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/739,870, filed Jan. 11, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/208,079, filed Aug. 11, 2011. U.S.application Ser. No. 13/739,870 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/208,079 are incorporated herein by reference in its entireties.Priority is claimed to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/739,870 and to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/208,079.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates in general to color printing, and inparticular to a system and method for tuning device link profiles (DLPs)for color printing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system according to anexemplary embodiment, the system including a plurality of computingdevices, a color measurement device, and a plurality of digital colorpresses.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of one of the computing devices ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the color measurement device ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of one of the digital colorpresses of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustration of a method of operating the systemof FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustration of a method of operating the systemof FIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of one of the digital colorpresses of FIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustration of a method of operating the systemof FIG. 1, including the embodiment of the digital color press shown inFIG. 7, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system according to anexemplary embodiment, the system including pluralities of device linkprofiles.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of a plurality of device linkprofiles of FIG. 9, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of one of the device linkprofiles of FIG. 10, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustration of a method of operating the systemof FIG. 9, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustration of a step of the method of FIG. 12,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustration of another step of the method ofFIG. 12, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustration of another method of operating thesystem of FIG. 9, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustration of a step of the method of FIG. 15,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 contains diagrammatic illustrations of tuned versions of thedevice link profiles of FIG. 10, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18 contains diagrammatic illustrations of tuned versions of anotherplurality of device link profiles of FIG. 9, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic illustration of a node for implementing one ormore exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, according to anexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a digital processcontrol system (“Digital PCS”) for managing the color performance of adigital print job in process, that is, during the production run of thedigital print job, is generally referred to by the reference numeral 10.The system 10 includes a graphics job processor 12, which includes aserver 14 and a computer readable medium 16. The server 14 includes acomputer processor 18, which is operably coupled to the computerreadable medium 16. Instructions accessible to, and executable by, theprocessor 18 are stored on the computer readable medium 16. A database20 is also stored on the computer readable medium 16.

Computing devices 22 and 24 are operably coupled to, and incommunication with, the server 14 via a network 26. A color measurementdevice 28 is operably coupled to, and in communication with, thecomputing device 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the color measurementdevice 28 is operably coupled to, and in communication with, thecomputing device 24 via the network 26. A digital front end (DFE) 30 isoperably coupled to, and in communication with, the server 14 via thenetwork 26. The digital front end 30 includes a processor 32 and acomputer readable medium 34 operably coupled thereto. Instructionsaccessible to, and executable by, the processor 32 are stored on thecomputer readable medium 34. Digital color presses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c and36 d are operably coupled to, and in communication with, the digitalfront end 30. Digital color presses 38 and 40 are operably coupled to,and in communication with, the server 14 via the network 26. The digitalcolor presses 38 and 40 include on-board digital front ends (DFEs) 42and 44, respectively. The digital front end 30 at least partiallycontrols the digital color presses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c and 36 d, and thedigital front ends 42 and 44 at least partially control the digitalcolor presses 38 and 40, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, the server 14 is a file server/job processorwith a stand-alone application. In an exemplary embodiment, the server14 is a web application server, which in several exemplary embodimentsincludes and/or executes one or more web-based computer programs,Intranet-based computer programs, and/or any combination thereof In anexemplary embodiment, the network 26 includes the Internet, one or morelocal area networks, one or more wide area networks, one or morecellular networks, one or more wireless networks, one or more voicenetworks, one or more data networks, one or more communication systems,and/or any combination thereof

In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the components of thesystem 10 and/or content stored therein, and/or any combination thereof,are parts of, and/or are distributed throughout, the system 10 and/orone or more other components thereof In several exemplary embodiments,the platforms of the system 10 are identical, different, or vary withrespect to equipment, peripherals, hardware architecture and/orspecifications, software architecture and/or specifications, and/or anycombination thereof

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2 with continuingreference to FIG. 1, the computing device 22 includes a processor 22 aand a computer readable medium 22 b operably coupled thereto.Instructions accessible to, and executable by, the processor 22 a arestored on the computer readable medium 22 b. The computing device 22further includes a user interface 22 c, which is provided in whole or inpart by the processor 22 a′s execution of the instructions stored on thecomputer readable medium 22 b, and/or the operation of one or moreoutput devices such as, for example, a multi-touch screen or othergraphical display, and one or more input devices such as, for example, akeyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, or a pin pad. In anexemplary embodiment, the computing device 22 is a thin client and theserver 14 controls at least a portion of the operation of the computingdevice 22. In an exemplary embodiment, the computing device 22 is athick client, and/or functions as both a thin client and a thick client.In several exemplary embodiments, the computing device 22 is aworkstation, personal computer, portable computer, smartphone, personaldigital assistant (PDA), cell phone, another type of computer system,and/or any combination thereof

In an exemplary embodiment, the computing device 24 is identical to thecomputing device 22 and thus also includes a processor and a computerreadable medium operably coupled thereto; the computing device 24 willnot be described in further detail. In several exemplary embodiments,one of the computing devices 22 and 24 can be omitted in favor of theother of the computing devices 22 and 24. In several exemplaryembodiments, the computing device 22 is combined in whole or in partwith the computing device 24.

In an exemplary embodiment, color management software is loaded on thecomputing device 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the color managementsoftware is stored on the computer readable medium of the computingdevice 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the color management softwareloaded on the computer device 24 and/or stored on the computer readablemedium thereof is, includes, or is part of, Fuji Taskero colormanagement software/system, which is available from FUJIFILM NorthAmerica Corporation, Valhalla, N.Y., and/or Maxwell color managementsoftware/system, which is available from CHROMiX, Inc., Seattle, Wash.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the color measurement device 28 is, orincludes, a spectrophotometer device 46. In an exemplary embodiment, thespectrophotometer device 46 is, includes, or is part of, an Eye-One iSis(or iliSis) automated chart reader, which is available from X-Rite,Incorporated, Grand Rapids, Mich. In an exemplary embodiment, thespectrophotometer device 46 is, includes, or is part of, an Eye-One iO(or iliO) automatic chart reading system, which is also available fromX-Rite, Incorporated.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-3, the digital color press 36 a includes a prooftray 48 and a stacker 50. Color targets are adapted to be printed to theproof tray 48, under conditions to be described below. Color print jobsare adapted to be printed to the stacker 50, under conditions to bedescribed below. Although not shown in the figures, the digital colorpresses 36 b, 36 c and 36 d also include corresponding ones of the prooftray 48 and the stacker 50. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more ofthe digital color presses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c and 36 d is an HP IndigoPress, which is available from Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto,Calif. In an exemplary embodiment, the digital front end 30 (FIG. 1) isan HP Ultra Scalable Rip Solution (SRS) DFE, which is also availablefrom Hewlett-Packard Company, and each of the digital color presses 36a, 36 b, 36 c and 36 d is an HP Indigo Press. In an exemplaryembodiment, one or more of the digital color presses 36 a,36 b, 36 c and36 d is a Xeikon 6000, which is available from Xeikon International BV,Belgium. In an exemplary embodiment, the digital front end 30 (FIG. 1)is a Xeikon DFE, which is also available from Xeikon International BV,and each of the digital color presses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c and 36 d is aXeikon 6000.

In an exemplary embodiment, although not shown in the figures, thedigital color presses 38 and 40 further include corresponding ones ofthe proof tray 48 and the stacker 50, in addition to including theon-board digital front ends 42 and 44, respectively, as noted above. Inan exemplary embodiment, each of the digital color presses 38 and 40 isa NexPress Digital Color Production Color Press, which is available fromEastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-4, a method of operating the system 10 is generallyreferred to by the reference numeral 52. In several exemplaryembodiments, the method 52 is implemented in whole or in part using thegraphics job processor 12, the computing device 22, the computing device24, the color measurement device 28, the digital front end 30, thedigital color presses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 and 40, and/or anycombination thereof

As shown in FIG. 5, the method 52 includes a step 54, at which datacorresponding to a color print job is received. In an exemplaryembodiment, to receive the data at the step 54, one or more portabledocument format (pdf) files containing the color print job are receivedby the graphics job processor 12, and the pdf files are stored in thedatabase 20. In an exemplary embodiment, the data received at the step54 may be variable data and/or data for a single job with multiple alikeprints.

Before, during or after the step 54, at step 56 a color target isgenerated and stored using the job processor 12, the color target beingbased on the data received in the step 54. In an exemplary embodiment,the color target generated at the step 56 includes one or more colorspaces such as, for example, red-green-blue (RGB) color spaces, orcyan-magenta-yellow-black (CMYK) color spaces. In an exemplaryembodiment, the color target generated at the step 56 provides target(s)for specific color profile(s) with specific tolerance(s), and/orincludes one or more color space profiles, tolerances, DFE setups, etc.In an exemplary embodiment, to generate the color target at the step 56,job processing software is executed using one or more of the processors18 and 22 a, and the job processing software is used to generate andstore the color target. In an exemplary embodiment, the job processingsoftware used at the step 56 is stored in whole or in part on thecomputer readable medium 16 and/or the computer readable medium 22 b. Inan exemplary embodiment, the job processing software used at the step 56is dependent upon the customer, client, entity or person who suppliedthe data received at the step 54, as well as on the print job itself,including aspects or parameters thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, atthe step 56, the generated color target is stored in whole or in part inthe database 20, the computer readable medium 16, the computer readablemedium 22 b, and/or any combination thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, at the step 56, a press lead opens orotherwise executes the job processing software in order to generate andstore the color target. Alternatively, in an exemplary embodiment, atthe step 56, the color target is automatically generated and stored inresponse to receiving the data corresponding to the print job at thestep 54.

Before, during or after the step 56, at step 58 an interval at which thecolor target is to be printed is specified. In an exemplary embodiment,to specify the interval at the step 58, the interval is determined basedon one or more factors such as, for example, product type, sheet count,time, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the interval specified at thestep 58 is a certain sheet count or number of sheets (e.g., 500 sheets)for one product type (such as a book, pamphlet, magazine, manual, etc.),and is another number of sheets (e.g., 250 sheets) for another producttype. In an exemplary embodiment, the interval specified at the step 58is a time interval such as, for example, thirty minutes, one hour, oneday, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the interval is automaticallyspecified at the step 58 in response to receiving the data correspondingto the print job at the step 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the step 58is combined with the step 56 and thus the interval at which the colortarget is to be printed is specified during the generation of the colortarget in the step 56.

Before, during or after the step 58, at step 60 the color print job, towhich the data received at the step 54 corresponds, is executed. In anexemplary embodiment, to execute the print job at the step 60, print jobdata, which is the data received at the step 54, and/or data basedthereon, is transmitted from the server 14 to one of the digital frontends 30, 42 and 44. If the server 14 transmits the print job data to thedigital front end 30, the digital front end 30 processes the print jobdata and operates to cause one of the presses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c and 36 dto begin to print the color print job and thus print sheets of materialin color to the corresponding stacker 50. If the server 14 transmits theprint job data to the digital front end 42 or 44, the digital front end42 or 44 processes the print job data and operates to cause the press 38or 40, respectively, to begin to print the color print job and thusprint sheets of material in color to the corresponding stacker 50.

Before, during or after the step 60, it is determined at step 62 whetherthe print job is at the interval specified in the step 58. For example,if the interval specified in the step 58 is a sheet count interval of500 sheets, it is initially determined at the step 62 whether the 500thsheet of the print job has been printed since the initiation of theexecution of the print job at the step 60. And at any subsequentexecutions of the step 62, it is determined whether 500 sheets have beenprinted since the previous instance it was determined at the step 62that the print job was at the interval specified in the step 58. Foranother example, if the interval specified in the step 58 is a timeinterval of five minutes, it is determined at the step 62 whether fiveminutes have elapsed since the initiation of the execution of the printjob at the step 60. And at any subsequent executions of the step 62, itis determined whether five minutes have elapsed since the previousinstance it was determined at the step 62 that the print job was at theinterval specified in the step 58.

If it is determined at the step 62 that the print job is not yet at theinterval specified at the step 58, the storage of the generated colortarget in whole or in part at the job processor 12 is continued, asindicated by step 64. The steps 62 and 64 are repeated until it isdetermined at the step 62 that the print job is indeed at the intervalspecified at the step 58. In several exemplary embodiments, the step 62can be executed using a clock, and/or a counter, with the count valueprovided by the counter being compared with the interval specified atthe step 58. In an exemplary embodiment, the clock and/or counter iscontrolled by, and/or is part of, the server and/or the processor 18thereof

If it is determined at the step 62 that the print job is at the intervalspecified at the step 58, then the color target is automaticallytransmitted at step 66 to the digital front end 30, 42 or 44 to whichthe print job data was transmitted in order to initiate execution of thestep 60. The digital front end 30, 42 or 44 places the color target inthe press queue for the digital color press 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38or 40 being used to execute the print job at the step 60. The digitalfront end 30, 42or 40 shows the color target as in the press queue andready to print.

During or after the step 66, the presence of the color target in thepress queue is verified at step 68. In an exemplary embodiment,verification is made at the step 68 by a press operator. In an exemplaryembodiment, verification is automatically made at the step 68 as aresult of the digital front end 30, 42 or 44 automatically sending anotification to the server 14 and/or to the computing device 22, therebyconfirming the automatic transmission of the color target.

Before, during or after the step 68, the color target is automaticallyprinted to the corresponding proof tray 48 at step 70. In an exemplaryembodiment, after the color target has been automatically printed to theproof tray 48 at the step 70, the press operator may verify the printquality of the color target, reviewing the color target visually for anypress defects that may impact the measurement of the color target (suchmeasurement is to be described below), and/or verifying that allelements of the color target have printed correctly.

During or after the step 70, the color spaces of the printed colortarget are measured at step 72 using the color measurement device 28. Inan exemplary embodiment, the color spaces of the printed color targetare measured at the step 72 using the spectrophotometer device 46. In anexemplary embodiment, at the step 72, the printed color target is readby the spectrophotometer device 46 and the results are transmitted tothe computing device 24 for processing. In an exemplary embodiment, atthe step 72, a press operator measures the color spaces of the printedcolor target using the spectrophotometer device 46, as well as the colormanagement software loaded on the computing device 24 and/or stored onthe computer readable medium thereof

During or after the step 72, a report on color stability is generated atstep 74. In an exemplary embodiment, to generate the color stabilityreport at the step 74, the color management software loaded on thecomputing device 24, and/or stored on the computer readable mediumthereof, compiles and/or otherwise processes the color spacemeasurements taken at the step 72, providing real time reporting on thecolor stability of the digital color press 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 or40 being used to execute the print job at the step 60. In an exemplaryembodiment, at the step 74, the execution of the color managementsoftware loaded on the computing device 24 results in one or morecomparisons between the color space measurements taken at the step 72,and target readings to the specified color profile for the print jobexecuted at the step 60, i.e., a reference set of expected color valuescorresponding to the color profile for the print job executed at thestep 60. In an exemplary embodiment, at the step 74, the execution ofthe color management software loaded on the computing device 24 providesinformation on color variance of the color space measurements taken atthe step 72 using Delta-E (dE) levels, with dE being a unit of measurethat calculates and quantifies the difference between two colors, one ofwhich is a reference color and the other is a sample color that attemptsto match the reference color (the higher the dE, the greater thedifference between the two colors). In an exemplary embodiment,standards for dE variance are preset in the color management softwareand thus are used at the step 74. In an exemplary embodiment, at thestep 74, the execution of the color management software loaded on thecomputing device 24 results in the generation of a pass/failnotification.

During or after the step 74, the report generated at the step 74 isreviewed by the press operator and/or the press lead. Based on thereport generated at the step 74, the press operator and/or the presslead will determine any necessary maintenance routines needed for colorcorrection on press either pre-run or mid-production run based on theoutput timing of the color target, that is, at the time the color targetwas printed at the step 70, or at the point the color target was printedat the step 70 during the print job executed at the step 60. In severalexemplary embodiments, during or after the step 74, problems with thedigital color press 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 or 40 being used toexecute the print job at the step 60 are detected; for example, it maybe determined that dE is trending upwards on cyan. Accordingly, coloradjustments may be made to the digital color press 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36d, 38 or 40 being used to execute the print job at the step 60. Inseveral exemplary embodiments, during or after the step 74, operatorscan monitor/view press trends with respect to the digital color press 36a,36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 or 40 being used to execute the print job at thestep 60, and thus detect early warning signs if the digital color pressis beginning to go, or trending, out of tolerance.

After the step 74, the step 62 is again executed, in accordance with theforegoing. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps 62, 64, 66,68,70, 72 and 74 are repeated as necessary, in accordance with theforegoing, until the print job executed at the step 60 is completed.

In several exemplary embodiments, the operation of the system 10 or theexecution of the method 52 enables the monitoring of the colorperformance of digital printing during a production run by printing acolor target automatically in the run. The operation of the system 10 orthe execution of the method 52 allows press color performance to bemonitored throughout the printing of the product to ensure colorstability and fidelity based on the set color target. The operation ofthe system 10 or the execution of the method 52 enables the provision ofgroups of color profiles and preset tools for color management onmultiple presses, and different presses, at multiple facilities.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-5, a method of operating the system 10 is generallyreferred to by the reference numeral 76. In several exemplaryembodiments, the method 76 is implemented in whole or in part using thegraphics job processor 12, the computing device 22, the computing device24, the color measurement device 28, the digital front end 30, thedigital color presses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 and 40, and/or anycombination thereof

As shown in FIG. 6, the method 76 includes a step 78, at which datacorresponding to a color print job is received. The step 78 of themethod 76 is identical to the step 54 of the method 52 and therefore thestep 78 of the method 76 will not be described in further detail.

During or after the step 78, at step 80 the color print job, to whichthe data received at the step 78 corresponds, is executed. The step 80of the method 76 is identical to the step 60 of the method 52 andtherefore the step 80 of the method 76 will not be described in furtherdetail.

Before, during or after the step 80, at step 82 a color target isgenerated using the user interface 22 c of the computing device 22, thecolor target being based on the data received in the step 78. In anexemplary embodiment, at the step 82, the color target is generatedmanually using the user interface 22 c. In an exemplary embodiment, atthe step 82, tab(s) and/or icon(s) forming part of the user interface 22c are selected by, for example, a press lead, and the color target isgenerated manually using the user interface 22 c. In an exemplaryembodiment, the color target generated at the step 82 includes one ormore color spaces such as, for example, red-green-blue (RGB) colorspaces, or cyan-magenta-yellow-black (CMYK) color spaces. In anexemplary embodiment, the color target generated at the step 82 providestarget(s) for specific color profile(s) with specific tolerance(s),and/or includes one or more color space profiles, tolerances, DFEsetups, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, to generate the color target at the step 82,job processing software is executed using one or more of the userinterface 22 c, the processor 18 of the server 14, and the processor 22a of the computing device 22, and the job processing software is used togenerate and store the color target. In an exemplary embodiment, the jobprocessing software used at the step 82 is stored in whole or in part onthe computer readable medium 16 and/or the computer readable medium 22b. In an exemplary embodiment, the job processing software used at thestep 82 is dependent upon the customer, client, entity or person whosupplied the data received at the step 78, as well as on the print jobitself, including aspects or parameters thereof. In an exemplaryembodiment, at the step 82, the generated color target is stored inwhole or in part in the database 20, the computer readable medium 16,the computer readable medium 22 b, and/or any combination thereof In anexemplary embodiment, at the step 82, a press lead opens or otherwiseexecutes the job processing software using the user interface 22 c inorder to generate and store the color target.

During or after the step 82, at step 84 the color target is transmittedto the digital front end 30, 42 or 44 to which the print job data wastransmitted in order to initiate execution of the step 80. In anexemplary embodiment, at the step 84, the digital color press 36 a, 36b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 or 40 being used to execute the print job at the step80 is selected using the user interface 22 c, thereby selecting thecorresponding digital front end 30, 42 or 44 to which the color targetis to be transmitted. During or after the step 84, the digital front end30, 42 or 44 places the color target in the press queue for the digitalcolor press 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 or 40 being used to execute theprint job at the step 80. The digital front end 30, 42 or 40 shows thecolor target as in the press queue and ready to print.

During or after the step 84, the presence of the color target in thepress queue is verified at step 86. In an exemplary embodiment,verification is made at the step 68 by a press operator. In an exemplaryembodiment, verification is automatically made at the step 86 as aresult of the digital front end 30, 42 or 44 automatically sending anotification to the server 14 and/or the computing device 22 confirmingthe transmission of the color target.

Before, during or after the step 86, the color target is printed to thecorresponding proof tray 48 at step 88. In an exemplary embodiment, atthe step 88, the color target is manually printed, with a press operatorselecting to print the color target to the corresponding proof tray 48using the corresponding digital front end 30, 42 or 44. In an exemplaryembodiment, at the step 88, the color target is automatically printed tothe corresponding proof tray 48. In an exemplary embodiment, after thecolor target has been printed to the proof tray at the step 88, thepress operator may verify the print quality of the color target,reviewing the color target visually for any press defects that mayimpact the measurement of the color target (such measurement is to bedescribed below), and/or verifying that all elements of the color targethave printed correctly.

During or after the step 88, the color spaces of the printed colortarget are measured at step 90 using the color measurement device 28.The step 90 of the method 76 is identical to the step 72 of the method52 and therefore the step 90 of the method 76 will not be described infurther detail.

During or after the step 90, a report on color stability is generated atstep 92. The step 92 of the method 76 is identical to the step 74 of themethod 52 and therefore the step 92 of the method 76 will not bedescribed in further detail.

During or after the step 92, the report generated at the step 92 isreviewed by the press operator and/or the press lead. Based on thereport generated at the step 92, the press operator and/or the presslead will determine any necessary maintenance routines needed for colorcorrection on press either pre-run or mid-production run based on theoutput timing of the color target, that is, at the time the color targetwas printed at the step 88, or at the point the color target was printedat the step 88 during the print job executed at the step 80. In severalexemplary embodiments, during or after the step 92, problems with thedigital color press 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 or 40 being used toexecute the print job at the step 80 are detected; for example, it maybe determined that dE is trending upwards on cyan. Accordingly, coloradjustments may be made to the digital color press 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36d, 38 or 40 being used to execute the print job at the step 80. Inseveral exemplary embodiments, during or after the step 92, operatorscan monitor/view press trends with respect to the digital color press 36a,36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 or 40 being used to execute the print job at thestep 80, and detect early warning signs if the digital color press isbeginning to go, or trending, out of tolerance.

In several exemplary embodiments, at any time before, during or afterthe execution of the print job at the step 80, the steps 82, 84, 86, 88,90and 92 may be repeated.

In several exemplary embodiments, the operation of the system 10 or theexecution of the method 76 enables the monitoring of the colorperformance of digital printing during a production run by printing acolor target during the production run. The operation of the system 10or the execution of the method 76 allows press color performance to bemonitored throughout the printing of the product to ensure colorstability and fidelity based on the set color target. The operation ofthe system10 or the execution of the method 76 enables the provision ofgroups of color profiles and preset tools for color management onmultiple presses, and different presses, at multiple facilities.

In an experimental exemplary embodiment, before implementing the method52 or 76, an experimental production run of an experimental digitalcolor print job yielded an experimental average dE level of 2.10.However, in an experimental exemplary embodiment, by implementing themethod 52 or 76, an experimental production run of an experimentaldigital color print job, which was substantially equivalent to theaforementioned experimental digital color print job, yielded anexperimental average dE level of 1.79.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-6, the digital color press 36 a further includes aninline color measurement device 94, in addition to including respectiveones of the proof tray 48 and the stacker 50. In an exemplaryembodiment, the inline color measurement device 94 includes, or is partof, the proof tray 48. In an exemplary embodiment, the inline colormeasurement device 94 is positioned proximate the proof tray 48. In anexemplary embodiment, the inline color measurement device 94 includesthe spectrophotometer device 46.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-7, a method of operating the system 10, includingthe embodiment of the digital color press 36 a shown in FIG. 7, isgenerally referred to by the reference numeral 96.

As indicated in FIG. 8, the method 96 is either a modification of themethod 52 shown in FIG. 5, or a modification of the method 76 shown inFIG. 6. These two modifications will be discussed in turn.

In an exemplary embodiment, as indicated in FIG. 8, if the method 96 isa modification of the method 52 shown in FIG. 5, the execution of themethod 96 first requires the execution of the steps 54, 56, 58, 60,62,64, 66, 68 and 70 of the method 52. After the step 70 of the method52 has been executed, the continued execution of the method 96 requiresthe omission of the steps 72 and 74 of the method 52, in favor of theexecution of steps 98, 100, 102 and 104, which steps are shown in FIG.8. That is, instead of executing the steps 72 and 74 during theexecution of the method 96, the steps 98, 100 and 102 shown in FIG. 8are executed, as well as the step 104 if necessary. At the step 98 ofthe method 96, the color spaces of the color target printed to the prooftray 48 at the step 70 are automatically measured using the inline colormeasurement device 94. In an exemplary embodiment, at the step 98, thecolor spaces of the color target are automatically measured using theinline color measurement device 94 during, and/or after, the printing ofthe color target to the proof tray 48 at the step 70. During or afterthe step 98, at the step 100 the measured color spaces are automaticallycompared with a reference set of expected color values corresponding tothe color profile for the print job executed at the step 60. During orafter the step 100, at the step 102 it is automatically determinedwhether the color variances between the measured color spaces and thereference set of expected color values are within their respectivetolerances. If it is determined at the step 102 that the color variancesare not within their respective tolerances, then at step 104 the digitalcolor press 36 a is automatically adjusted to correct the colorvariances. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps 100, 102 and 104are automatically executed using one or more of the digital front end30, the job processor 12, the computing device 22, and the computingdevice 24. During or after the step 104, the steps 62, 64, 66,68, 70,98, 100, 102 and 104 are repeated as necessary, in accordance with theforegoing. If it is determined at the step 102 that the color variancesare within their respective tolerances, then the steps 62, 64,66, 68,70, 98, 100, 102 and 104 are repeated as necessary, in accordance withthe foregoing.

As noted above, in an exemplary embodiment, instead of the method 96being a modification of the method 52 shown in FIG. 5, the method 96 canbe a modification of the method 76 shown in FIG. 6. More particularly,as indicated in FIG. 8, if the method 96 is a modification of the method76 shown in FIG. 6, the execution of the method 96 first requires theexecution of the steps 78, 80, 82, 84, 86 and 88 of the method 76. Afterthe step 88 of the method 76 has been executed, the continued executionof the method 96requires the omission of the steps 90 and 92 of themethod 76, in favor of the execution of the steps 98, 100, 102 a ndpossibly 104. That is, instead of executing the steps 90 and 92 duringthe execution of the method 96, the steps 98, 100 and 102 are executed,as well as the step 104 if necessary. At the step 98 of the method 96,the color spaces of the color target printed to the proof tray 48 at thestep 88 are automatically measured using the inline color measurementdevice 94. In an exemplary embodiment, at the step 98, the color spacesof the color target are automatically measured using the inline colormeasurement device 94 during, and/or after, the printing of the colortarget to the proof tray 48 at the step 88. During or after the step 98,at the step 100 the measured color spaces are automatically comparedwith a reference set of expected color values corresponding to the colorprofile for the print job executed at the step 80. During or after thestep 100, at the step 102 it is automatically determined whether thecolor variances between the measured color spaces and the reference setof expected color values are within their respective tolerances. If itis determined at the step 102 that the color variances are not withintheir respective tolerances, then at step 104 the digital color press 36a is automatically adjusted to correct the color variances. In severalexemplary embodiments, the steps 100, 102 and 104 are automaticallyexecuted using one or more of the digital front end 30, the jobprocessor 12, the computing device 22, and the computing device 24.During or after the step 104, the steps 82, 84, 86, 88, 98, 100, 102 and104 may be repeated as necessary, in accordance with the foregoing. Ifit is determined at the step 102 that the color variances are withintheir respective tolerances, then the steps 82, 84, 86, 88, 98, 100, 102and 104 may be repeated as necessary, in accordance with the foregoing.

In several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to usingthe digital color press 36 a, the method 96may be executed using any ofthe digital color presses 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 and 40, so long as thedigital color press includes an inline color measurement device.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-8, a system is generally referred to by thereference numeral 110 and includes several parts of the system 10, whichparts are given the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 9, thesystem 110 includes a central server 112 and a computer readable medium116, both of which are located at a location 114. The central server 112includes a computer processor 118, which is operably coupled to thecomputer readable medium 116. Instructions accessible to, and executableby, the processor 118 are stored on the computer readable medium 116. Adatabase 120 is also stored on the computer readable medium 116. In anexemplary embodiment, the central server 112 is a web applicationserver, which in several exemplary embodiments includes and/or executesone or more web-based computer programs, Intranet-based computerprograms, and/or any combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment,the central server 112 is “in the cloud.”

The system 110 further includes the graphics job processor 12, thecomputing devices 22 and 24, the color measurement device 28 and aprinting device 122, all of which are located at a location 124. Via thenetwork 26, the central server 112 is in communication with each of thecomputing device 22, the graphics job processor 12, the computing device24 and the printing device 122. The color measurement device 28 isoperably coupled to, and in communication with, the computing device 24.In an exemplary embodiment, the color measurement device 28 is operablycoupled to, and in communication with, the computing device 24 via thenetwork 26. A printing device 126 is located at a location 128, and isoperably coupled to, and in communication with, the central server 112via the network 26. Similarly, a printing device 130 is located at alocation 132, and is operably coupled to, and in communication with, thecentral server 112 via the network 26. Pluralities of device linkprofiles 134, 136 and 138 are stored in the database 120. Thepluralities of device link profiles 134, 136 and 138 will be discussedin further detail below.

In several exemplary embodiments, each of the locations 114, 124, 128and 132 is located remotely from the other locations (differentlocations in a building or campus, or different cities, regions, states,countries, etc.).

In several exemplary embodiments, each of the printing devices 122, 126and 130 is a digital color press, an inkjet web press device, a grandformat printing press device, or a digital offset press.

At the location 128, a computing device 140 is operably coupled to, andin communication with, a color measurement device 142. Similarly, at thelocation 132, a computing device 144 is operably coupled to, and incommunication with, a color measurement devices 146. The computingdevices 140 and 144 are operably coupled to, and in communication with,the central server 112 via the network 26. In several exemplaryembodiments, each of the computing devices 142 and 144 is substantiallyidentical to the computing device 22 or 24, and therefore the computingdevices 142 and 144 will not be described in detail. In severalexemplary embodiments, each of the color measurement devices 140 and 146is substantially identical to the color measurement device 28 or 94, andtherefore the color measurement devices 140 and 146 will not bedescribed in detail. In several exemplary embodiments, via the network26, one or more of the foregoing components of the system 110 are incommunication with one or more other of the foregoing components of thesystem 110.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-9, the plurality of device link profiles 134includes device link profile 134 a, device link profile 134 b and devicelink profile 134 c, each of which is, includes, or is part of,electronic data that defines conversion from a source color spaceprofile to a destination space color profile. For example, the devicelink profile 134 a may define a direct cyan-magenta-yellow-black (CMYK)to CMYK transformation. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the devicelink profiles 134 a, 134 b and 134 c includes a mathematicallook-up-table (LUT) or matrix. In several exemplary embodiments, thedevice link profiles 134 a, 134 b and 134 c are specified by theInternational Color Consortium (ICC). In several exemplary embodiments,the device link profiles 134 a, 134 b and 134 c are created using one ormore computer programs and/or combinations thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-10, the device link profile 134 a includes aplurality of identifiers 148. The plurality of identifiers 148 includes:a location identifier 150 that identifies the location of a printingdevice, such as the location 124, 128 or 132; a device identifier 152that identifies a printing device, such as the printing device 122, 126or 130; a substrate identifier 153 that identifies a substrate such as atype of printing stock, such as standard calibration paper stock, glosspaper stock, recycle paper stock, a gloss paper stock associated with aparticular person or entity, or a recycle paper stock associated with aparticular person or entity; a client/color standard identifier 154 thatidentifies a client/color standard or color standard, such as ICC CMYKor G7®, which is a trademark of International Digital EnterpriseAlliance, Inc., Alexandria, Va.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the device link profiles 134 b and134 c is substantially identical to the device link profile 134 a,except that the respective substrate identifiers 153 of the device linkprofiles 134 b and 134 c identify different substrates, respectively,than the substrate identified by the device link profile 134 a.Therefore, the device link profiles 134 b and 134 c will not bedescribed in further detail.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the pluralities of device linkprofiles 136 and 138 is substantially identical to the plurality ofdevice link profiles 134, except that the location identifiers 150 ofeach plurality may identify a location other than that identified by theplurality of device link profiles 134, the device identifiers 152 ofeach plurality may identify a printing device other than that identifiedby the plurality of device link profiles 134, or the client/colorstandard identifiers 154 of each plurality may identify a client/colorstandard other than that identified by the plurality of device linkprofiles 134. Therefore, the pluralities of device link profiles 136 and138 will not be described in further detail.

In an exemplary embodiment, other pluralities of device link profilesmay be stored in the database 120, in addition to the pluralities ofdevice link profiles 134, 136 and 138.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-11, a method of operating the system 110 isgenerally referred to by the reference numeral 156. In several exemplaryembodiments, the method 156 is implemented in whole or in part using oneor more of the graphics job processor 12, the computing devices 22, 24,140 and 144, the central server 112, the color measurement devices 28,140 and 146, the printing devices 122, 126 and 130, and/or anycombination thereof.

For the purpose of clarity, the method 156 will be described inconnection with the printing device 122 located at the location 124, aswell as the color measurement device 28 and the device link profile 134a.

As shown in FIG. 12, the method 156 includes a step 158, at which acolor target is printed using the printing device 122, the color targetbeing printed on a substrate in accordance with a client/color standard.During or after the step 158, at step 160 the color spaces of the colortarget printed at the step 158 are measured using the color measurementdevice 28. Before, during or after the step 160, at step 162 requiredscanning and color reference data, including a set of expected colorvalues and a device link profile, such as the device link profile 134 a,are downloaded from the central server 112. During or after the step162, at step 164 the measured colored spaces are compared with thedownloaded reference set of expected color values. During or after thestep 164, at step 166 it is determined whether the color variances, thatis, the variances between the measured color spaces and the downloadedreference set of expected color values, are so great so as to exceed afirst set of predetermined tolerances, or a “fail” level, whichspecifies unacceptable variances. If so, then at step 168 a “failed”status is reported, at which point the execution of the method 156 mayend. At the step 168, the “failed” status may be reported by, forexample, outputting the “failed” status on the computing device 24, theprinting device 122, the computing device 22, the graphics job processor12, and/or any combination thereof.

If it is determined at the step 166 that the color variances do notexceed the first predetermined level, or the “fail” level, then at step170 it is determined whether the color variances exceed a second set ofpredetermined tolerances, or a “warning” level, which is less than thefirst predetermined level, or “fail” level. If not, then at step 172 a“passed” status is reported, at which point the execution of the method156 may end. At the step 172, the “passed” status may be reported by,for example, outputting the “passed” status on the computing device 24,the printing device 122, the computing device 22, the graphics jobprocessor 12, and/or any combination thereof

If it is determined at the step 170 that the color variances exceed thesecond set of predetermined tolerances, or the “warning” level, then atstep 174 the device link profile 134 a is adjusted or tuned, and thetuned device link profile 134 a, hereafter referred to as device linkprofile 134 a′, is transmitted to the printing device 122. Before,during or after the step 174, a “warning” status is reported at step176. At the step 176, the “warning” status may be reported by, forexample, outputting the “warning” status on the computing device 24, theprinting device 122, the computing device 22, the graphics job processor12, and/or any combination thereof

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-12, to adjust or tune the device link profile 134 aat the step 174, the color spaces measured at the step 160, as well asat least one of the color reference data downloaded at the step 162 andthe color variance data determined at the step 164, are transmitted fromthe computing device 24 to the central server 112 at step 174 a. In anexemplary embodiment, at the step 174 a, the color reference datadownloaded at the step 162 is transmitted from the computing device 24to the central server 112. In an exemplary embodiment, at the step 174a, the color variance data determined at the step 164 is transmittedfrom the computing device 24 to the central server 112. In an exemplaryembodiment, at the step 174 a, both the color reference data and thecolor variance data are transmitted from the computing device 24 to thecentral server 112.

At step 174 b, the device link profile 134 a is identified and accessedin the database 120 in response to the receipt of the measured colorspaces and at least one of the color reference data and the colorvariance data. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the measuredcolor spaces, the color reference data, and the color variance data,include one or more attributes that identify the device link profile 134a, and the central server 112 detects the one or more attributes andthen identifies the device link profile 134 a based on the detected oneor more attributes. At step 174 c, the device link profile 134 a istuned or adjusted, based on the measured color spaces and the colorvariances between the measured color spaces and the reference set ofexpected color values, thereby generating the tuned device link profile134 a′. As a result, the tuned device link profile 134 a′ is based onthe device link profile 134 a and the color variances. For example, therespective amounts of one or more of cyan, magenta, yellow and black toconverted to the destination color space profile may be increased ordecreased based on the measured color spaces and the color variances.For example, if it is determined at the step 170 that cyan is trendingupwards and thus exceeds the “warning” level, the device link profile isadjusted or tuned at the step 174 c based on this determination at thestep 170, and thus the amount of cyan to be converted to the destinationcolor space profile may be decreased or otherwise adjusted. During orafter the step 174 c, at step 174 d the device link profile 134 a isreplaced with the tuned device link profile 134 a′ in the database 120.As a result, the tuned device profile 134 a′ overrides the device linkprofile 134 a in the database 120. As a result, the tuned device linkprofile 134 a′ is associated with the printing device 122, whereas thedevice link profile 134 a is no longer associated with the printingdevice 122.

In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the steps 164, 166,168, 170, 172, 174, 176 and 178 are executed in whole or in part usingthe central server 112. In several exemplary embodiments, the step 162is omitted, only the color spaces measured at the step 160 aretransmitted to the central server 112 at the step 174 a, the step 174 ais executed before the steps 164, 166 and 170, each of which is executedin whole or in part using the central server 112, and the steps 174 b,174 c and 174 d are later executed in whole or in part using the centralserver 112.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 14 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-13, to transmit the tuned device link profile 134a′ to the printing device 122 at the step 176, at step 176 a the tuneddevice link profile 134 a′ is transmitted from the central server 112 tothe computing device 22 via the network 26. During or after the step 176a, at step 176 b the tuned device link profile 134 a′ is imported fromthe computing device 22 into the printing device 122. In an exemplaryembodiment, an operator detects the transmission of the tuned devicelink profile 134 a′ to the computing device 22 at the step 176 a, and atstep 176 b manually imports the tuned device link profile 134 a′ from afolder stored on the computing device 22 into the printing device 122using, for example, a digital front end (DFE) interface associated withthe printing device 122. The tuned device link profile 134 a′ overridesthe device link profile 134 in the DFE. In an exemplary embodiment, atthe step 176 b the computing device 22 automatically pushes the tuneddevice link profile 134 a′ directly to the printing device 122. In anexemplary embodiment, at the step 176 b the computing device 22automatically pushes the tuned device link profile 134 a′ directly intoa DFE associated with the printing device 122. In an exemplaryembodiment, a DFE associated with the printing device 122 watches forthe tuned device link profile 134 a′ by, for example, issuing a queryfor any and all tuned device link profiles, including the tuned devicelink profile 134 a′, either periodically or in response to a triggerevent.

Although the execution of the method 156 has been described above inconnection with the device link profile 134 a, the method 156 may beexecuted to tune any of the other device link profiles in the pluralityof device link profiles 134, including the device link profile 134 b or134 c, or any other device link profiles the location identifiers 150 ofwhich identify the location 124, and the device identifiers 152 of whichidentify the printing device 122.

Although the execution of the method 156 has been described above inconnection with the location 124 and the printing device 122 locatedthereat, as well as with the computing devices 22 and 24 and the colormeasurement device 28, the method may be executed to tune any of theother device link profiles stored in the database 120, the locationidentifiers 150 of which identify the location 128 and the deviceidentifiers 152 of which identify the printing device 126, and thus themethod 156 may be executed using the computing device 144 and/or anothercomputing device instead of the computing device 22, using the computingdevice 144 instead of the computing device 24, and using the colormeasurement device 146 instead of the color measurement device 28.

Although the execution of the method 156 has been described above inconnection with the location 124 and the printing device 122 locatedthereat, as well as with the computing devices 22 and 24 and the colormeasurement device 28, the method may be executed to tune any of theother device link profiles stored in the database 120, the locationidentifiers 150 of which identify the location 132 and the deviceidentifiers 152 of which identify the printing device 130, and thus themethod 156 may be executed using the computing device 140 and/or anothercomputing device instead of the computing device 22, using the computingdevice 140 instead of the computing device 24, and using the colormeasurement device 142 instead of the color measurement device 28.

In according with the foregoing description, in several exemplaryembodiments, as a result of the method 156, visibility and consistencyof color management across multiple site locations is allowed. In anexemplary embodiment, the central server 112 is “in the cloud” and thecentral server 112 and/or the computer readable medium 116 holdinformation such as device link profile naming, client, deviceinformation, chart controls and calibration alerts, substrates andreporting. In an exemplary embodiment, in accordance with the method156, print job(s) are submitted through job processing software usingthe graphics job processor 12, or the computing device 24, 140 or 144,and transmitted to the printing device 122, 126 or 130. In an exemplaryembodiment, in accordance with the method 156, an inline or near linespectrophotometer reading is transmitted to the central server 112 andcompared against predetermined criteria related to the print job(s). Inan exemplary embodiment, in accordance with the method 156, thiscomparison and/or constant measurement is carried to other device linkprofiles and verified for those device link profiles, which as a resultare calibrated and ready to run. In an exemplary embodiment, inaccordance with the method 156, the central server 112 calibrates,recalibrates or sends recalibration to, or stops, the printing device122, 126 or 130, thereby making adjustments as needed. In an exemplaryembodiment, the method 156 can be used across departments such asdigital, inkjet web, grand format, and offset.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 15 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-14, another method of operating the system 110 isgenerally referred to by the reference numeral 180. In several exemplaryembodiments, the method 180 is implemented in whole or in part using oneor more of the graphics job processor 12, the computing devices 22, 24,140 and 144, the central server 112, the color measurement devices 28,140 and 146, the printing devices 122, 126 and 130, and/or anycombination thereof.

In accordance with the following description, in several exemplaryembodiments, as a result of the method 180, calibration is not conductedon a per-printing stock basis, but instead is conducted on a muchsimpler per-printing device basis.

For the purpose of clarity, the method 180 will be described inconnection with the printing device 122 located at the location 124, thecomputing device 24, the color measurement device 28, and the devicelink profile 134.

As shown in FIG. 15, the method 180 includes a step 182, at which acolor target associated with a predetermined client/color standard isprinted on standard calibration paper stock using the printing device122. During or after the step 182, at step 184 the color spaces of thecolor target printed at the step 182 are measured using the colormeasurement device 28. Before, during or after the step 184, at step 186required scanning and color reference data are downloaded to thecomputing device 24, the required scanning and color reference dataincluding a set of expected color values and the device link profile 134a. The location identifier 150 of the device link profile 134 aidentifies the location 124. The device identifier 152 of the devicelink profile 134 a identifies the printing device 122. The substrateidentifier 153 of the device link profile 134 a identifies the standardcalibration paper stock on which the color target printed at the step182. The client/color standard identifier 154 of the device link profile134 a identifies the predetermined client/color standard with which thecolor target printed at the step 182 is associated. In an exemplaryembodiment, at the step 186, instead of, or in addition to, thecomputing device 24, the required scanning and color reference data aredownloaded to the computing device 22.

During or after the step 186, at step 188 the color spaces measured atthe step 184 are compared with the reference set of expected colorvalues downloaded at the step 186. In an exemplary embodiment, thecomparison is made at the step 188 by executing a computer program usingthe computing device 24 and/or the computing device 22. During or afterthe step 188, at step 190 it is determined whether recalibration of theprinting device 122 is necessary for the predetermined client/colorstandard. In an exemplary embodiment, at the step 190, it is determinedwhether the color variances, that is, the variances between the measuredcolor spaces and the downloaded reference set of expected color values,are so great so as to exceed a set of predetermined tolerances. If thevariances are so great, then it is determined at the step 190 thatrecalibration of the printing device 122 is necessary.

If it is determined at the step 190 that recalibration of the printingdevice 122 is necessary, then at step 192 one or more tuned device linkprofiles identifying different substrates are generated for the printingdevice 122 and the predetermined client/color standard, the one or moretuned device link profiles including the tuned device link profile 134a′.

Before, during or after the step 192, or if it is determined at the step190 that recalibration of the printing device 122 is not necessary forthe predetermined client/color standard, then at step 194 it isdetermined whether recalibration of the printing device 122 may benecessary for another predetermined client/color standard. In anexemplary embodiment, such a recalibration may be determined to benecessary at the step 190 if a plurality of print jobs are to be runusing the printing device 122, and the print jobs are to be run withdifferent client/color standards.

Before, during or after the step 194, at step 196 one or more colorprint jobs are run using the printing device 122, with the one or moreprint jobs calling for the predetermined client/color standard(s)associated with the color target(s) printed at the step 182. As shown inFIG. 15, before or during the step 196, the steps 182, 184, 186, 188,190, 192 and 194 may have been executed only once because only a singleclient/color standard is called for at the step 196, or may have beenexecuted multiple times because multiple client/color standards arecalled for at the step 196.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-15, to generate the one or more tuned device linkprofiles (including the tuned device link profile 134 a′) at the step192, the color spaces measured at the step 184, as well as at least oneof the color reference data downloaded at the step 186 and the colorvariance data determined at the step 188, are transmitted from thecomputing device 24 to the central server 112 at step 192 a. In anexemplary embodiment, at the step 192 a, the color reference datadownloaded at the step 186 is transmitted from the computing device 24to the central server 112. In an exemplary embodiment, at the step 192a, the color variance data determined at the step 188 is transmittedfrom the computing device 24 to the central server 112. In an exemplaryembodiment, at the step 192 a, both the color reference data and thecolor variance data are transmitted from the computing device 24 to thecentral server 112.

At step 192 b, the device link profile 134 a is identified and accessedin response to the receipt of the measured color spaces and at least oneof the color reference data and the color variance data. In an exemplaryembodiment, at the step 192 b, one or more of the measured color spaces,the color reference data, and the color variance data, include one ormore attributes that identify the device link profile 134 a, and thecentral server 112 detects the one or more attributes and thenidentifies the device link profile 134 a based on the detected one ormore attributes. At step 192 c, the device link profile 134 a is tunedor adjusted, based on the measured color spaces and the color variancesbetween the measured color spaces and the reference set of expectedcolor values, thereby generating the tuned device link profile 134 a′.For example, the respective amounts of one or more of cyan, magenta,yellow and black to be converted to the destination color space profilemay be increased or decreased based on the measured color spaces and thecolor variances. For example, if it is determined at the step 190 thatcyan is trending upwards and thus the variance thereof exceeds apredetermined level or tolerance, the device link profile is adjusted ortuned at the step 192 c based on this determination at the step 190, andthus the amount of cyan to be converted to the destination color spaceprofile may be decreased or otherwise adjusted. During or after the step192 c, at step 192 d the device link profile 134 a is replaced with thetuned device link profile 134 a′. In several exemplary embodiments, thesteps 192 a through 192 d of the step 192 of the method 180 aresubstantially identical to the steps 174 a through 174 d, respectively,of the step 174 of the method 156.

Before, during or after the step 192 d, it is determined at step 192 ewhether all device link profiles for all types of substrate or printingstock have been tuned for the printing device 122 and the predeterminedclient/color standard associated with the color target printed at thestep 182. If so, then the step 192 is completed and the step 194 isexecuted in accordance with the foregoing. In several exemplaryembodiments, the step 194 is executed before, during or after the step192.

If at the step 192 e it is determined that all device link profiles forall types of printing stock have not been tuned for the printing device122 and the predetermined client/color standard associated with thecolor target printed at the step 182, then at step 192 f another devicelink profile is identified and accessed in the database 120, thelocation identifier 150 of which identifies the location 124, the deviceidentifier 152 of which identifies the printing device 122, theclient/color standard identifier 154 of which identifies thepredetermined client/color standard, and the substrate identifier 153 ofwhich identifies another substrate, i.e., a substrate other than thesubstrate on which the color target was printed at the step 182, namelystandard calibration paper stock. At step 192 g, this another devicelink profile identified at the step 192 f is tuned or adjusted, based on(a) the measured color spaces and the color variances between themeasured color spaces and the reference set of expected color values,and (b) the predetermined variation between (i) the another substrateidentified by the substrate identifier 153 of the another device linkprofile and (ii) the standard calibration paper stock on which the colortarget was printed at the step 182, thereby generating another tuneddevice link profile.

For example, if it is determined at the step 190 that cyan is trendingupwards and thus the variance thereof exceeds a predetermined level, thedevice link profile is adjusted or tuned at the step 192 c based on thisdetermination at the step 190, as well as based on the predeterminedvariance between standard calibration paper stock and the anothersubstrate. That is, if cyan is decreased by a predetermined amount forstandard calibration paper stock, then cyan is further adjusted(decreased or increased) to take in account the known differences in thecyan requirement between standard calibration paper stock and theanother substrate.

During or after the step 192 g, at step 192 h the another device linkprofile identified at the step 192 f is replaced with the another tuneddevice link profile generated at the step 192 g.

The steps 192 e, 192 f, 192 g and 192 h are repeated until it isdetermined at the step 192 e that all device link profiles for all typesof printing stock have been tuned for the printing device 122 and thepredetermined client/color standard associated with the color targetprinted at the step 182.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 17 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-16, a plurality of tuned device link profilesincludes tuned device link profiles 134 a′, 134 b′ and 134 c′, which aretuned versions of the device link profiles 134 a, 134 b and 134 c,respectively, of FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 17, each of the tuned devicelink profiles 134 a′, 134 b′ and 134 c′ includes a respective one of theplurality of identifiers 148, which includes the location identifier 150that identifies the location 124, the device identifier 152 thatidentifies the printing device 122, the client color/standard identifier154 that identifies the predetermined client/color standard associatedwith the color target printed at the step 182. However, each of therespective ones of the substrate identifiers 153 of the tuned devicelink profiles 134 a′, 134 b′ and 134 c′ identifies a differentsubstrate, with the substrate identifier 153 of the tuned device linkprofile 134 a′ identifying standard calibration paper stock, thesubstrate identifier 153 of the tuned device link profile 134 b′identifying another substrate other than standard calibration paperstock, and the substrate identifier 153 of the tuned device link profile134 c′ identifying yet another substrate other than standard calibrationpaper stock. In several exemplary embodiments, the tuned device linkprofile 134 a′ is generated at the step 192 c of the step 192 of themethod 180, the tuned device link profile 134 b′ is generated at oneexecution of the step 192 g of the step 192 of the method 180, and thetuned device link profile134 c′ is generated at a repeat execution ofthe step 192 g of the step 192 of the method 180.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 18 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-17, a plurality of tuned device link profilesincludes tuned device link profiles 136 a′, 136 b′ and 136 c′, which aretuned versions of respective device link profiles of the plurality ofdevice link profiles 136. As shown in FIG. 18, each of the tuned devicelink profiles 136 a′, 136 b′ and 136 c′ includes a respective one of theplurality of identifiers 148, which includes the location identifier 150that identifies the location 124, the device identifier 152 thatidentifies the printing device 122, the client color/standard identifier154 that identifies a predetermined client/color standard other than thepredetermined client/color standard associated with the color targetprinted at the step 182. However, each of the respective ones of thesubstrate identifiers 153 of the tuned device link profiles 136 a′, 136b′ and 136 c′ identifies a different substrate, with the substrateidentifier 153 of the tuned device link profile 136 a′ identifyingstandard calibration paper stock, the substrate identifier 153 of thetuned device link profile 136 b′ identifying another substrate otherthan standard calibration paper stock, and the substrate identifier 153of the tuned device link profile 136 c′ identifying yet anothersubstrate other than standard calibration paper stock. In severalexemplary embodiments, the tuned device link profiles 136 a′, 136 b′ and136 c′ are generated after the generation of the tuned device linkprofiles 134 a′, 134 b′ and 134 c′. In several exemplary embodiments,the tuned device link profiles 136 a′, 136 b′ and 136 c′ are generatedas a result of a repeat execution of the steps 182, 184, 186, 188, 190and 192. More particularly, if it is determined at the step 194 thatrecalibration of the printing device 122 is necessary for anotherpredetermined client/color standard (e.g., ICC CMYK), and thus the steps182, 184, 186, 188, 190 and 192 a re repeated, with the tuned devicelink profile 136 a′ (instead of 134 a′) being generated at the step 192c of the step 192 of the method 180, with the tuned device link profile136 b′ (instead of 134 b′) being generated at the step 192 g of the step192 of the method 180, and the tuned device link profile 136 c′ (insteadof 134 c′) being generated at a repeat execution of the step 192 g ofthe step 192 of the method 180.

Although the execution of the method 180 has been described above inconnection with the pluralities of device link profiles 134 and 136, themethod 180 may be executed to tune other pluralities of device linkprofiles including, for example, the plurality of device link profiles138, or any other device link profiles the location identifiers 150 ofwhich identify the location 124, and the device identifiers 152 of whichidentify the printing device 122.

Although the execution of the method 180 has been described above inconnection with the location 124 and the printing device 122 locatedthereat, as well as with the computing devices 22 and 24 and the colormeasurement device 28, the method 180 may be executed to recalibrate theprinting device 126, and thus the method 180 may be executed using thecomputing device 144 and/or another computing device instead of thecomputing device 22, using the computing device 144 instead of thecomputing device 24, and using the color measurement device 146 insteadof the color measurement device 28.

Although the execution of the method 180 has been described above inconnection with the location 124 and the printing device 122 locatedthereat, as well as with the computing devices 22 and 24 and the colormeasurement device 28, the method 180 may be executed to recalibrate theprinting device 130, and thus the method 180 may be executed using thecomputing device 140 and/or another computing device instead of thecomputing device 22, using the computing device 140 instead of thecomputing device 24, and using the color measurement device 142 insteadof the color measurement device 28.

In according with the foregoing description, in several exemplaryembodiments, as a result of the method 180, calibration is not conductedon a per-printing stock basis, but instead is conducted on a muchsimpler per-printing device basis. In several exemplary embodiments, themethod 180 focuses on a particular printing device (e.g., the printingdevice 122, 126 or 130) for calibration, instead of focusing on aparticular type of printing stock for calibration. The method 180contemplates that since calibration for one type of printing stock(e.g., standard calibration paper stock) can be completed, and it isknown how another type of printing stock is going to varycolormetrically from the first-mentioned paper stock (e.g., standardcalibration paper stock), then this variance is applied as a known valueat the step 192 g. In several exemplary embodiments, as a result of themethod 180, a given printing device, such as the printing device 122,126 or 130, does not have to be recalibrated every time differentprinting stock is used for a print job. In several exemplaryembodiments, as a result of the method 180, an operator does not have topre-load or calibrate every time a given printing stock is used by theprinting device 122, 126 or 120; instead, the corresponding device linkprofile for the given printing stock is already pre-calibrated.

In accordance with the foregoing, in several exemplary embodiments, themethod 180 includes running spectral swatches on standard calibrationstock (see, e.g., the step 182), reading spectral data (see, e.g., thestep 184), determining whether a given printing device should berecalibrated based on the spectral data readings (see, e.g., the steps186, 188 and 190) and, if so, creating all new device link profiles forthe given printing device (see, e.g., the step 192) and inserting new ortuned device link profiles for all substrates based on known variancesbetween the substrates and the standard calibration stock (see, e.g.,the steps 192 d and 192 h), and running print job(s) (see, e.g., thestep 196).

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 19 with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-18, an illustrative node 196 for implementing oneor more embodiments of one or more of the above-described networks,elements, methods and/or steps, and/or any combination thereof, isdepicted. The node 196 includes a processor 196 a, an input device 196b, a storage device 196 c, a video controller 196 d, a system memory 196e, a display 196 f and a communication device 196 g, all of which areinterconnected by one or more buses 196 h. In several exemplaryembodiments, the storage device 196 c may include a floppy drive, harddrive, CD-ROM, optical drive, any other form of storage device and/orany combination thereof. In several exemplary embodiments, the storagedevice 196 c may include, and/or be capable of receiving, a floppy disk,CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or any other form of computer readable medium that maycontain executable instructions. In several exemplary embodiments, thecommunication device 196 g may include a modem, network card, or anyother device to enable the node to communicate with other nodes. Inseveral exemplary embodiments, any node represents a plurality ofinterconnected (whether by intranet or Internet) computer systems,including without limitation, personal computers, mainframes, PDAs,smartphones and cell phones.

In exemplary embodiments, one or more of the graphics job processor 12,the computing devices 22, 24, 140 and144, the color measurement devices28, 142 and 146, the digital front ends 30, 42 and 44, the digital colorpresses 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 and 40, the printing devices 122, 126and 130, the inline color measurement device 94, the central server 112,and/or one or more components thereof, is, or at least includes, thenode 196 and/or components thereof, and/or one or more nodes that aresubstantially similar to the node 196 and/or components thereof. Inseveral exemplary embodiments, one or more of the above-describedcomponents of one or more of the node 196, the graphics job processor12, the computing devices 22 and 24, the color measurement device 28,the digital front ends 30, 42 and 44, the digital color presses 36 a, 36b, 36 c, 36 d, 38 and 40, the inline color measurement device 94, and/orone or more components thereof, include respective pluralities of samecomponents.

In exemplary embodiments, a computer system typically includes at leasthardware capable of executing machine readable instructions, as well asthe software for executing acts (typically machine-readableinstructions) that produce a desired result. In several exemplaryembodiments, a computer system may include hybrids of hardware andsoftware, as well as computer sub-systems.

In exemplary embodiments, hardware generally includes at leastprocessor-capable platforms, such as client-machines (also known aspersonal computers or servers), and hand-held processing devices (suchas smart phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs),or personal computing devices (PCDs), for example). In several exemplaryembodiments, hardware may include any physical device that is capable ofstoring machine-readable instructions, such as memory or other datastorage devices. In several exemplary embodiments, other forms ofhardware include hardware sub-systems, including transfer devices suchas modems, modem cards, ports, and port cards, for example.

In exemplary embodiments, software includes any machine code stored inany memory medium, such as RAM or ROM, and machine code stored on otherdevices (such as floppy disks, flash memory, or a CD ROM, for example).In several exemplary embodiments, software may include source or objectcode. In several exemplary embodiments, software encompasses any set ofinstructions capable of being executed on a node such as, for example,on a client machine or server.

In exemplary embodiments, combinations of software and hardware couldalso be used for providing enhanced functionality and performance forcertain embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplaryembodiment, software functions may be directly manufactured into asilicon chip. Accordingly, it should be understood that combinations ofhardware and software are also included within the definition of acomputer system and are thus envisioned by the present disclosure aspossible equivalent structures and equivalent methods.

In exemplary embodiments, computer readable mediums include, forexample, passive data storage, such as a random access memory (RAM) aswell as semi-permanent data storage such as a compact disk read onlymemory (CD-ROM). One or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be embodied in the RAM of a computer to transform astandard computer into a new specific computing machine. In severalexemplary embodiments, data structures are defined organizations of datathat may enable an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an exemplaryembodiment, a data structure may provide an organization of data, or anorganization of executable code.

In exemplary embodiments, the network 26, and/or one or more portionsthereof, may be designed to work on any specific architecture. In anexemplary embodiment, one or more portions of the network 26 may beexecuted on a single computer, local area networks, client-servernetworks, wide area networks, internets, hand-held and other portableand wireless devices and networks.

In exemplary embodiments, a database may be any standard or proprietarydatabase software, such as Oracle, Microsoft Access, SyBase, or DBaseII, for example. In several exemplary embodiments, the database may havefields, records, data, and other database elements that may beassociated through database specific software. In several exemplaryembodiments, data may be mapped. In several exemplary embodiments,mapping is the process of associating one data entry with another dataentry. In an exemplary embodiment, the data contained in the location ofa character file can be mapped to a field in a second table. In severalexemplary embodiments, the physical location of the database is notlimiting, and the database may be distributed. In an exemplaryembodiment, the database may exist remotely from the server, and run ona separate platform. In an exemplary embodiment, the database may beaccessible across the Internet. In several exemplary embodiments, morethan one database may be implemented.

In exemplary embodiments, a computer program, such as a plurality ofinstructions stored on a computer readable medium, such as one or moreof the computer readable medium 16, the database 20, the computerreadable medium 22 b, the computer readable medium 34, the computerreadable medium 116, the database 120, the system memory 196 e, and/orany combination thereof, may be executed by a processor to cause theprocessor to carry out or implement in whole or in part the operation ofone or both of the systems 10 and 110, one or more of the methods 52,76, 96, 156, 180 and/or any combination thereof In several exemplaryembodiments, such a processor may include one or more of the processor18, the processor 22 a, the processor 32, the processor 118, theprocessor 196 a, and/or any combination thereof In several exemplaryembodiments, such a processor may execute the plurality of instructionsin connection with a virtual computer system.

In exemplary embodiments, a printing device may be dynamically colortuned on-the-fly without suspending printing operations. In exemplaryembodiments, an acceptable range of color variation is identified for aparticular printing device or printing job, and the color tuning asdisclosed herein is implemented before any drift in color variationextends outside the acceptable range.

A method has been described that includes generating a color target,wherein the color target is associated with a print job; specifying aninterval at which to print the color target; executing the print job;and during the execution of the print job, automatically printing thecolor target at the specified interval. In an exemplary embodiment, thespecified interval is based on at least one of the following: a timeinterval, a sheet count interval, and a product type. In an exemplaryembodiment, automatically printing the color target at the specifiedinterval during the execution of the print job includes determiningwhether the print job is at the specified interval; if the print job isat the specified interval, then automatically transmitting the colortarget to a digital front end; and automatically printing the colortarget to a proof tray of a digital color press, wherein the digitalcolor press is at least partially controlled by the digital front end.In an exemplary embodiment, the color target has one or more colorspaces; and wherein the method further includes measuring the one ormore color spaces; and generating a report on color stability based onthe measurements of the one or more color spaces. In an exemplaryembodiment, the color target has one or more color spaces; wherein thedigital color press includes a color measurement device; and wherein themethod further includes automatically measuring the one or more colorspaces using the color measurement device; automatically comparing themeasurements of the one or more color spaces with a reference set ofcolor values to thereby determine one or more color variances;determining whether the one or more color variances are withinrespective tolerances; and if the one or more color variances are notwithin the respective tolerances, then automatically adjusting thedigital color press.

An apparatus has been described that includes a computer readablemedium; and a plurality of instructions stored on the computer readablemedium, wherein the plurality of instructions are executable by aprocessor, and wherein the plurality of instructions includesinstructions that cause the processor to generate a color target,wherein the color target is associated with a print job; instructionsthat cause the processor to specify an interval at which to print thecolor target; instructions that cause the processor to execute the printjob; and instructions that cause the processor, during the execution ofthe print job, to automatically print the color target at the specifiedinterval. In an exemplary embodiment, the specified interval is based onat least one of the following: a time interval, a sheet count interval,and a product type. In an exemplary embodiment, instructions that causethe processor, during the execution of the print job, to automaticallyprint the color target at the specified interval include instructionsthat cause the processor to determine whether the print job is at thespecified interval; instructions that, if the print job is at thespecified interval, cause the processor to automatically transmit thecolor target to a digital front end; and automatically print the colortarget to a proof tray of a digital color press, wherein the digitalcolor press is at least partially controlled by the digital front end.In an exemplary embodiment, the color target has one or more colorspaces; and wherein the plurality of instructions further includesinstructions that cause the processor to measure the one or more colorspaces; and instructions that cause the processor to generate a reporton color stability based on the measurements of the one or more colorspaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the color target has one or morecolor spaces; wherein the digital color press includes a colormeasurement device; and wherein the plurality of instructions furtherincludes instructions that cause the processor to automatically measurethe one or more color spaces using the color measurement device;instructions that cause the processor to automatically compare themeasurements of the one or more color spaces with a reference set ofcolor values to thereby determine one or more color variances;instructions that cause the processor to determine whether the one ormore color variances are within respective tolerances; and instructionsthat, if the one or more color variances are not within the respectivetolerances, cause the processor to automatically adjust the digitalcolor press.

A system has been described that includes a server; a digital front endin communication with the server; a digital color press at leastpartially controlled by the digital front end, the digital color presscomprising a stacker to which sheets of a print job are adapted to beprinted during the execution of the print job; and a proof tray to whicha color target is adapted to be printed, wherein the color target isassociated with the print job; a processor, wherein the processor ispart of at least one of the server, the digital front end, and thedigital color press; and a computer program executable by the processorand stored in at least one of the server, the digital front end, and thedigital color press, wherein the computer program, when executed by theprocessor, causes the color target to be printed to the proof trayduring the execution of the print job. In an exemplary embodiment, thecolor target is automatically printed to the proof tray at a specifiedinterval during the execution of the print job. In an exemplaryembodiment, the system further includes a user interface, wherein thecolor target is generated using the user interface during the executionof the print job. In an exemplary embodiment, the color target has oneor more color spaces; and wherein the system further includes a colormeasurement device adapted to measure the one or more color spaces. Inan exemplary embodiment, the color measurement device is part of thedigital color press; and wherein the one or more color spaces areautomatically measured using the color measurement device during theexecution of the print job.

A method has been described that includes receiving data correspondingto a print job; executing the print job using a digital color press,including printing sheets of the print job to a stacker of the digitalcolor process; generating a color target, wherein the color target isbased on the received data; transmitting the color target to a digitalfront end, wherein the digital front end at least partially controls thedigital color press; and printing the color target to a proof tray ofthe digital color press during the execution of the print job. In anexemplary embodiment, the color target has one or more color spaces; andwherein the method further includes measuring the one or more colorspaces; and generating a report on color stability based on themeasurements of the one or more color spaces. In an exemplaryembodiment, the color target has one or more color spaces; wherein thedigital color press includes a color measurement device; and wherein themethod further includes automatically measuring the one or more colorspaces using the color measurement device; automatically comparing themeasurements of the one or more color spaces with a reference set ofcolor values to thereby determine one or more color variances;determining whether the one or more color variances are withinrespective tolerances; and if the one or more color variances are notwithin the respective tolerances, then automatically adjusting thedigital color press. In an exemplary embodiment, the color target isgenerated using a user interface during the execution of the print job.In an exemplary embodiment, printing the color target to the proof trayof the digital color press during the execution of the print jobincludes specifying an interval at which to print the color target,wherein the specified interval is based on at least one of thefollowing: a time interval, a sheet count interval, and a product type;during the execution of the print job, determining whether the print jobis at the specified interval; during the execution of the print job, ifthe print job is at the specified interval, then automaticallytransmitting the color target to a digital front end; and automaticallyprinting the color target to the proof tray of the digital color press,wherein the digital color press is at least partially controlled by thedigital front end.

An apparatus has been described that includes a computer readablemedium; and a plurality of instructions stored on the computer readablemedium, wherein the plurality of instructions are executable by aprocessor, and wherein the plurality of instructions includesinstructions that cause the processor to receive data corresponding to aprint job; instructions that cause the processor to execute the printjob using a digital color press, including printing sheets of the printjob to a stacker of the digital color process; instructions that causethe processor to generate a color target, wherein the color target isbased on the received data; instructions that cause the processor totransmit the color target to a digital front end, wherein the digitalfront end at least partially controls the digital color press; andinstructions that cause the processor to print the color target to aproof tray of the digital color press during the execution of the printjob. In an exemplary embodiment, the color target has one or more colorspaces; and wherein the plurality of instructions further includesinstructions that cause the processor to measure the one or more colorspaces; and instructions that cause the processor to generate a reporton color stability based on the measurements of the one or more colorspaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the color target has one or morecolor spaces; wherein the digital color press includes a colormeasurement device; and wherein the plurality of instructions furtherincludes instructions that cause the processor to automatically measurethe one or more color spaces using the color measurement device;instructions that cause the processor to automatically compare themeasurements of the one or more color spaces with a reference set ofcolor values to thereby determine one or more color variances;instructions that cause the processor to determine whether the one ormore color variances are within respective tolerances; and instructionsthat, if the one or more color variances are not within the respectivetolerances, cause the processor to automatically adjust the digitalcolor press. In an exemplary embodiment, instructions that cause theprocessor to print the color target to the proof tray of the digitalcolor press during the execution of the print job include instructionsthat cause the processor to specify an interval at which to print thecolor target, wherein the specified interval is based on at least one ofthe following: a time interval, a sheet count interval, and a producttype; instructions that, during the execution of the print job, causethe processor to determine whether the print job is at the specifiedinterval; instructions that, during the execution of the print job andif the print job is at the specified interval, cause the processor toautomatically transmit the color target to a digital front end; andautomatically print the color target to the proof tray of the digitalcolor press, wherein the digital color press is at least partiallycontrolled by the digital front end.

A method has been described that includes measuring one or more colorspaces of a first color target; comparing the measurements of the one ormore color spaces with a first reference set of color values to therebydetermine one or more color variances; determining whether the one ormore color variances are within their respective tolerances; and if theone or more color variances are not within their respective tolerances,then: identifying, using at least one of the measurements of the one ormore color spaces, the first reference set of color values, and the oneor more color variances, a first device link profile associated with afirst printing device; generating a second device link profileassociated with the first printing device, wherein the second devicelink profile is based on at least the first device link profile and theone or more color variances; and associating the second device linkprofile with the first printing device so that the first device linkprofile is no longer associated with the first printing device. In anexemplary embodiment, the first printing device is selected from thegroup consisting of a digital color press, an inkjet web press device, agrand format printing press device, and a digital offset press. In anexemplary embodiment, the first printing device is positioned at a firstlocation; and wherein the method further comprises transmitting at leastthe measurements of the one or more color spaces to a second locationthat is different from the first location; and transmitting the seconddevice link profile to the first printing device from a third locationthat either is the same as the second location, or is different thaneach of the first and second locations. In an exemplary embodiment, thefirst color target is printed on a first substrate in accordance with afirst color standard using the first printing device; and wherein eachof the first and second device link profiles comprises a plurality ofidentifiers, the plurality of identifiers comprising a first deviceidentifier that identifies the first printing device; a first substrateidentifier that identifies the first substrate; and a first colorstandard identifier that identifies the first color standard. In anexemplary embodiment, transmitting at least the measurements of the oneor more color spaces to the second location comprises transmitting atleast the measurements to a central server located at the secondlocation, the central sever comprising a processor; wherein identifyingthe first device link profile comprises using the central server toidentify the first device link profile in a database accessible to theprocessor; wherein generating the second device link profile comprisesusing the central server to generate the second device link profile; andwherein associating the second device link profile with the firstprinting device so that the first device link profile is no longerassociated with the first printing device comprises replacing the firstdevice link profile with the second device link profile in the database.In an exemplary embodiment, the first device link profile is part of afirst plurality of device link profiles associated with the firstprinting device before the second device link profile is associated withthe first printing device; wherein the second device link profile ispart of the first plurality of device link profiles, and the firstdevice link profile is not part of the first plurality of device linkprofiles, after the second device link profile is associated with thefirst printing device. In an exemplary embodiment, the first colortarget is printed on a first substrate in accordance with a first colorstandard using the first printing device; wherein each of the first andsecond device link profiles comprises a first plurality of identifiers,the first plurality of identifiers comprising a first device identifierthat identifies the first printing device; a first color standardidentifier that identifies the first color standard; and a firstsubstrate identifier that identifies the first substrate; and whereinthe method further comprises identifying a third device link profileassociated with the first printing device, the third device link profilecomprising a second plurality of identifiers, the second plurality ofidentifiers comprising a second device identifier that identifies thefirst printing device; a second color standard identifier thatidentifies the first color standard; and a second substrate identifierthat identifies a second substrate that is different than the firstsubstrate; generating a fourth device link profile associated with thefirst printing device, wherein the fourth device link profile is basedon at least: the third device link profile, the one or more colorvariances, and a predetermined first variation between the first andsecond substrates, wherein the predetermined first variation between thefirst and second substrates is based on at least the first colorstandard; and associating the fourth device link profile with the firstprinting device so that the third device link profile is no longerassociated with the first printing device. In an exemplary embodiment,the method comprises measuring one or more color spaces of a secondcolor target, wherein the second color target is printed on the firstsubstrate in accordance with a second color standard using the firstprinting device; comparing the measurements of the one or more colorspaces of the second color target with a second reference set of colorvalues to thereby determine one or more other color variances;determining whether the one or more other color variances are withintheir respective tolerances; and if the one or more other colorvariances are not within their respective tolerances, then: identifying,using at least one of the measurements of the one or more color spacesof the second color target, the second reference set of color values,and the one or more other color variances, a fifth device link profileassociated with the first printing device, the fifth device linkcomprising a third plurality of identifiers, the third plurality ofidentifiers comprising a third device identifier that identifies thefirst printing device; a third color standard identifier that identifiesthe second color standard; and a third substrate identifier thatidentifies the first substrate; generating a sixth device link profileassociated with the first printing device, wherein the sixth device linkprofile is based on at least the fifth device link profile and the oneor more other color variances; associating the sixth device link profilewith the first printing device so that the fifth device link profile isno longer associated with the first printing device; identifying aseventh device link profile associated with the first printing device,the seventh device link profile comprising a fourth plurality ofidentifiers, the fourth plurality of identifiers comprising a fourthdevice identifier that identifies the first printing device; a fourthcolor standard identifier that identifies the second color standard; anda fourth substrate identifier that identifies the second substrate;generating an eighth device link profile associated with the firstprinting device, wherein the eighth device link profile is based on atleast: the seventh device link profile, the one or more other colorvariances, and a predetermined second variation between the first andsecond substrates, wherein the predetermined second variation betweenthe first and second substrates is based on at least the second colorstandard; and associating the eighth device link profile with the firstprinting device so that the seventh device link profile is no longerassociated with the first printing device. In an exemplary embodiment,the method includes running a first print job on the first substrateusing the first printing device, the first color standard, and thesecond device link profile; running a second print job on the secondsubstrate using the first printing device, the first color standard, andthe fourth device link profile; running a third print job on the firstsubstrate using the first printing device, the second color standard,and the sixth device link profile; and running a fourth print job on thesecond substrate using the first printing device, the second colorstandard, and the eighth device link profile.

An apparatus has been described that includes one or more processors; acomputer readable medium operably coupled to the one or more processors;and a plurality of instructions stored on the computer readable mediumand executable by the one or more processors, the plurality ofinstructions comprising instructions that cause the one or moreprocessors to measure one or more color spaces of a first color target;instructions that cause the one or more processors to compare themeasurements of the one or more color spaces with a first reference setof color values to thereby determine one or more color variances;instructions that cause the one or more processors to determine whetherthe one or more color variances are within their respective tolerances;and instructions that cause the one or more processors, if the one ormore color variances are not within their respective tolerances, to:identify, using at least one of the measurements of the one or morecolor spaces, the first reference set of color values, and the one ormore color variances, a first device link profile associated with afirst printing device; generate a second device link profile associatedwith the first printing device, wherein the second device link profileis based on at least the first device link profile and the one or morecolor variances; and associate the second device link profile with thefirst printing device so that the first device link profile is no longerassociated with the first printing device. In an exemplary embodiment,the first printing device is selected from the group consisting of adigital color press, an inkjet web press device, a grand format printingpress device, and a digital offset press. In an exemplary embodiment,the first printing device is positioned at a first location; and whereinthe plurality of instructions further comprises instructions that causethe one or more processors to transmit at least the measurements of theone or more color spaces to a second location that is different from thefirst location; and instructions that cause the one or more processorsto transmit the second device link profile to the first printing devicefrom a third location that either is the same as the second location, oris different than each of the first and second locations. In anexemplary embodiment, the first color target is printed on a firstsubstrate in accordance with a first color standard using the firstprinting device; and wherein each of the first and second device linkprofiles comprises a plurality of identifiers, the plurality ofidentifiers comprising a first device identifier that identifies thefirst printing device; a first substrate identifier that identifies thefirst substrate; and a first color standard identifier that identifiesthe first color standard. In an exemplary embodiment, the first devicelink profile is part of a first plurality of device link profilesassociated with the first printing device before the second device linkprofile is associated with the first printing device; wherein the seconddevice link profile is part of the first plurality of device linkprofiles, and the first device link profile is not part of the firstplurality of device link profiles, after the second device link profileis associated with the first printing device. In an exemplaryembodiment, the first color target is printed on a first substrate inaccordance with a first color standard using the first printing device;wherein each of the first and second device link profiles comprises afirst plurality of identifiers, the first plurality of identifierscomprising a first device identifier that identifies the first printingdevice; a first color standard identifier that identifies the firstcolor standard; and a first substrate identifier that identifies thefirst substrate; and wherein the plurality of instructions furthercomprises instructions that cause the one or more processors to identifya third device link profile associated with the first printing device,the third device link profile comprising a second plurality ofidentifiers, the second plurality of identifiers comprising a seconddevice identifier that identifies the first printing device; a secondcolor standard identifier that identifies the first color standard; anda second substrate identifier that identifies a second substrate that isdifferent than the first substrate; instructions that cause the one ormore processors to generate a fourth device link profile associated withthe first printing device, wherein the fourth device link profile isbased on at least: the third device link profile, the one or more colorvariances, and a predetermined first variation between the first andsecond substrates, wherein the predetermined first variation between thefirst and second substrates is based on at least the first colorstandard; and instructions that cause the one or more processors toassociate the fourth device link profile with the first printing deviceso that the third device link profile is no longer associated with thefirst printing device. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality ofinstructions further comprises instructions that cause the one or moreprocessors to measure one or more color spaces of a second color target,wherein the second color target is printed on the first substrate inaccordance with a second color standard using the first printing device;instructions that cause the one or more processors to compare themeasurements of the one or more color spaces of the second color targetwith a second reference set of color values to thereby determine one ormore other color variances; instructions that cause the one or moreprocessors to determine whether the one or more other color variancesare within their respective tolerances; and instructions that cause theone or more processors, if the one or more other color variances are notwithin their respective tolerances, to: identify, using at least one ofthe measurements of the one or more color spaces of the second colortarget, the second reference set of color values, and the one or moreother color variances, a fifth device link profile associated with thefirst printing device, the fifth device link comprising a thirdplurality of identifiers, the third plurality of identifiers comprisinga third device identifier that identifies the first printing device; athird color standard identifier that identifies the second colorstandard; and a third substrate identifier that identifies the firstsubstrate; generate a sixth device link profile associated with thefirst printing device, wherein the sixth device link profile is based onat least the fifth device link profile and the one or more other colorvariances; associate the sixth device link profile with the firstprinting device so that the fifth device link profile is no longerassociated with the first printing device; identify a seventh devicelink profile associated with the first printing device, the seventhdevice link profile comprising a fourth plurality of identifiers, thefourth plurality of identifiers comprising a fourth device identifierthat identifies the first printing device; a fourth color standardidentifier that identifies the second color standard; and a fourthsubstrate identifier that identifies the second substrate; generate aneighth device link profile associated with the first printing device,wherein the eighth device link profile is based on at least: the seventhdevice link profile, the one or more other color variances, and apredetermined second variation between the first and second substrates,wherein the predetermined second variation between the first and secondsubstrates is based on at least the second color standard; and associatethe eighth device link profile with the first printing device so thatthe seventh device link profile is no longer associated with the firstprinting device.

A system has been described that includes a central server; a firstprinting device in communication with the central server; one or moreprocessors, wherein the central server comprises at least one of the oneor more processors; a computer readable medium operably coupled to theone or more processors; a database stored on the computer readablemedium; a first device link profile stored in the database andassociated with the first printing device, the first device link profilecomprising a first device identifier that identifies the first printingdevice, a first color standard identifier that identifies a first colorstandard, and a first substrate identifier that identifies a firstsubstrate; and a computer program executable by the one or moreprocessors and stored on at least one of the central server, the firstprinting device, the computer readable medium, and the database; whereinthe computer program, when executed by the one or more processors,causes a second device link profile to be generated, associated with thefirst printing device, and stored in the database, so that the firstdevice link profile is no longer associated with the first printingdevice; and wherein the second device link profile is based on at leastthe first device link profile and one or more color variances between:measurements of one or more color spaces of a first color target printedon the first substrate in accordance with the first color standard usingthe first printing device, and a first reference set of color values. Inan exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a third device linkprofile stored in the database and associated with the first printingdevice, the third device link profile comprising a second deviceidentifier that identifies the first printing device, a second colorstandard identifier that identifies the first color standard, and asecond substrate identifier that identifies a second substrate; whereina predetermined color variation between the first and second substratesis stored on at least one of the central server, the first printingdevice, the computer readable medium, and the database; wherein thecomputer program, when executed by the one or more processors, causes afourth device link profile to be generated, associated with the firstprinting device, and stored in the database, so that the third devicelink profile is no longer associated with the first printing device; andwherein the fourth device link profile is based on at least the thirddevice link profile, the one or more color variances, and thepredetermined color variation. In an exemplary embodiment, the systemincludes a fifth device link profile stored in the database andassociated with the first printing device, the fifth device link profilecomprising a third device identifier that identifies the first printingdevice, a third color standard identifier that identifies a second colorstandard, and a third substrate identifier that identifies the firstsubstrate; wherein the computer program, when executed by the one ormore processors, causes a sixth device link profile to be generated,associated with the first printing device, and stored in the database,so that the fifth device link profile is no longer associated with thefirst printing device; and wherein the sixth device link profile isbased on at least the fifth device link profile and one or more colorvariances between: measurements of one or more color spaces of a secondcolor target printed on the first substrate in accordance with thesecond color standard using the first printing device, and a secondreference set of color values. In an exemplary embodiment, the firstprinting device is communication with the central server via at leastone of a network and a computing device.

An example method comprising: measuring one or more color spaces of afirst color target; comparing the measurements of the one or more colorspaces with a first reference set of color values to thereby determineone or more color variances; determining whether the one or more colorvariances are within their respective tolerances; if the one or morecolor variances are not within their respective tolerances, then:identifying, using at least one of the measurements of the one or morecolor spaces, the first reference set of color values, and the one ormore color variances, a first device link profile associated with afirst printing device; generating a second device link profileassociated with the first printing device, wherein the second devicelink profile is based on at least the first device link profile and theone or more color variances; and associating the second device linkprofile with the first printing device so that the first device linkprofile is no longer associated with the first printing device; whereinthe first color target is printed on a first substrate in accordancewith a first color standard using the first printing device; whereineach of the first and second device link profiles comprises a pluralityof identifiers, the plurality of identifiers comprising: a first deviceidentifier that identifies the first printing device; a first substrateidentifier that identifies the first substrate; and a first colorstandard identifier that identifies the first color standard; andwherein transmitting at least the measurements of the one or more colorspaces to the second location comprises transmitting at least themeasurements to a central server located at the second location, thecentral sever comprising a processor; wherein identifying the firstdevice link profile comprises using the central server to identify thefirst device link profile in a database accessible to the processor;wherein generating the second device link profile comprises using thecentral server to generate the second device link profile; and whereinassociating the second device link profile with the first printingdevice so that the first device link profile is no longer associatedwith the first printing device comprises replacing the first device linkprofile with the second device link profile in the database.

In some examples, the first device link profile is part of a firstplurality of device link profiles associated with the first printingdevice before the second device link profile is associated with thefirst printing device; wherein the second device link profile is part ofthe first plurality of device link profiles, and the first device linkprofile is not part of the first plurality of device link profiles,after the second device link profile is associated with the firstprinting device.

An example method comprising: measuring one or more color spaces of afirst color target wherein the first color target is printed on a firstsubstrate in accordance with a first color standard using the firstprinting device; comparing the measurements of the one or more colorspaces with a first reference set of color values to thereby determineone or more color variances; determining that the one or more colorvariances are not within their respective tolerances; and then:identifying, using at least one of the measurements of the one or morecolor spaces, the first reference set of color values, and the one ormore color variances, a first device link profile associated with afirst printing device; generating a second device link profileassociated with the first printing device, wherein the second devicelink profile is based on at least the first device link profile and theone or more color variances; wherein each of the first and second devicelink profiles comprises a first plurality of identifiers, the firstplurality of identifiers comprising: a first device identifier thatidentifies the first printing device; a first color standard identifierthat identifies the first color standard; and a first substrateidentifier that identifies the first substrate; associating the seconddevice link profile with the first printing device so that the firstdevice link profile is no longer associated with the first printingdevice; and wherein the method further comprises: third device linkprofile comprising a second plurality of identifiers, the secondplurality of identifiers comprising: a second device identifier thatidentifies the first printing device; a second color standard identifierthat identifies the first color standard; and a second substrateidentifier that identifies a second substrate that is different than thefirst substrate; generating a fourth device link profile associated withthe first printing device, wherein the fourth device link profile isbased on at least: and the third device link profile, the one or morecolor variances, and a predetermined first variation between the firstand second substrates, wherein the predetermined first variation betweenthe first and second substrates is based on at least the first colorstandard; associating the fourth device link profile with the firstprinting device so that the third device link profile is no longerassociated with the first printing device.

In some examples, the method includes measuring one or more color spacesof a second color target, wherein the second color target is printed onthe first substrate in accordance with a second color standard using thefirst printing device; comparing the measurements of the one or morecolor spaces of the second color target with a second reference set ofcolor values to thereby determine one or more other color variances;determining whether the one or more other color variances are withintheir respective tolerances; and if the one or more other colorvariances are not within their respective tolerances, then: identifying,using at least one of the measurements of the one or more color spacesof the second color target, the second reference set of color values,and the one or more other color variances, a fifth device link profileassociated with the first printing device, the fifth device linkcomprising a third plurality of identifiers, the third plurality ofidentifiers comprising: a third device identifier that identifies thefirst printing device; a third color standard identifier that identifiesthe second color standard; and a third substrate identifier thatidentifies the first substrate; generating a sixth device link profileassociated with the first printing device, wherein the sixth device linkprofile is based on at least the fifth device link profile and the oneor more other color variances; associating the sixth device link profilewith the first printing device so that the fifth device link profile isno longer associated with the first printing device; identifying aseventh device link profile associated with the first printing device,the seventh device link profile comprising a fourth plurality ofidentifiers, the fourth plurality of identifiers comprising: a fourthdevice identifier that identifies the first printing device; a fourthcolor standard identifier that identifies the second color standard; anda fourth substrate identifier that identifies the second substrate;generating an eighth device link profile associated with the firstprinting device, wherein the eighth device link profile is based on atleast: and the seventh device link profile, the one or more other colorvariances, and a predetermined second variation between the first andsecond substrates, wherein the predetermined second variation betweenthe first and second substrates is based on at least the second colorstandard; associating the eighth device link profile with the firstprinting device so that the seventh device link profile is no longerassociated with the first printing device.

In some examples, the method includes running a first print job on thefirst substrate using the first printing device, the first colorstandard, and the second device link profile; running a second print jobon the second substrate using the first printing device, the first colorstandard, and the fourth device link profile; running a third print jobon the first substrate using the first printing device, the second colorstandard, and the sixth device link profile; and running a fourth printjob on the second substrate using the first printing device, the secondcolor standard, and the eighth device link profile.

In some examples, the first printing device is selected from the groupconsisting of a digital color press, an inkjet web press device, a grandformat printing press device, and a digital offset press. In someexamples, the first printing device is positioned at a first location;and wherein the method further comprises: transmitting at least themeasurements of the one or more color spaces to a second location thatis different from the first location; and transmitting the second devicelink profile to the first printing device from a third location thateither is the same as the second location, or is different than each ofthe first and second locations.

An example apparatus comprising: one or more processors; a computerreadable medium operably coupled to the one or more processors; and aplurality of instructions stored on the computer readable medium andexecutable by the one or more processors, the plurality of instructionscomprising: instructions that cause the one or more processors tomeasure one or more color spaces of a first color target wherein thefirst color target is printed on a first substrate in accordance with afirst color standard using the first printing device; instructions thatcause the one or more processors to compare the measurements of the oneor more color spaces with a first reference set of color values tothereby determine one or more color variances; instructions that causethe one or more processors to determine whether the one or more colorvariances are within their respective tolerances; and instructions thatcause the one or more processors, when the one or more color variancesare not within their respective tolerances, to: identify, using at leastone of the measurements of the one or more color spaces, the firstreference set of color values, and the one or more color variances, afirst device link profile associated with a first printing device;generate a second device link profile associated with the first printingdevice, wherein the second device link profile is based on at least thefirst device link profile and the one or more color variances andwherein each of the first and second device link profiles comprises afirst plurality of identifiers, the first plurality of identifierscomprising: a first device identifier that identifies the first printingdevice; and a first color standard identifier that identifies the firstcolor standard; and a first substrate identifier that identifies thefirst substrate; associate the second device link profile with the firstprinting device so that the first device link profile is no longerassociated with the first printing device; wherein the plurality ofinstructions further comprises: instructions that cause the one or moreprocessors to identify a third device link profile associated with thefirst printing device, the third device link profile comprising a secondplurality of identifiers, the second plurality of identifierscomprising: a second device identifier that identifies the firstprinting device; a second color standard identifier that identifies thefirst color standard; and a second substrate identifier that identifiesa second substrate that is different than the first substrate;instructions that cause the one or more processors to generate a fourthdevice link profile associated with the first printing device, whereinthe fourth device link profile is based on at least: and the thirddevice link profile, the one or more color variances, and apredetermined first variation between the first and second substrates,wherein the predetermined first variation between the first and secondsubstrates is based on at least the first color standard; instructionsthat cause the one or more processors to associate the fourth devicelink profile with the first printing device so that the third devicelink profile is no longer associated with the first printing device.

In some examples, the plurality of instructions comprise instructionsthat cause the one or more processors to measure one or more colorspaces of a second color target, wherein the second color target isprinted on the first substrate in accordance with a second colorstandard using the first printing device; instructions that cause theone or more processors to compare the measurements of the one or morecolor spaces of the second color target with a second reference set ofcolor values to thereby determine one or more other color variances;instructions that cause the one or more processors to determine whetherthe one or more other color variances are within their respectivetolerances; and instructions that cause the one or more processors, ifthe one or more other color variances are not within their respectivetolerances, to: identify, using at least one of the measurements of theone or more color spaces of the second color target, the secondreference set of color values, and the one or more other colorvariances, a fifth device link profile associated with the firstprinting device, the fifth device link comprising a third plurality ofidentifiers, the third plurality of identifiers comprising: a thirddevice identifier that identifies the first printing device; a thirdcolor standard identifier that identifies the second color standard; anda third substrate identifier that identifies the first substrate;generate a sixth device link profile associated with the first printingdevice, wherein the sixth device link profile is based on at least thefifth device link profile and the one or more other color variances;associate the sixth device link profile with the first printing deviceso that the fifth device link profile is no longer associated with thefirst printing device; identify a seventh device link profile associatedwith the first printing device, the seventh device link profilecomprising a fourth plurality of identifiers, the fourth plurality ofidentifiers comprising: a fourth device identifier that identifies thefirst printing device; a fourth color standard identifier thatidentifies the second color standard; and a fourth substrate identifierthat identifies the second substrate; generate an eighth device linkprofile associated with the first printing device, wherein the eighthdevice link profile is based on at least: and the seventh device linkprofile, the one or more other color variances, and a predeterminedsecond variation between the first and second substrates, wherein thepredetermined second variation between the first and second substratesis based on at least the second color standard; associate the eighthdevice link profile with the first printing device so that the seventhdevice link profile is no longer associated with the first printingdevice.

In some examples, the first printing device is selected from the groupconsisting of a digital color press, an inkjet web press device, a grandformat printing press device, and a digital offset press. In someexamples, the first printing device is positioned at a first location;and wherein the plurality of instructions further comprises:instructions that cause the one or more processors to transmit at leastthe measurements of the one or more color spaces to a second locationthat is different from the first location; and instructions that causethe one or more processors to transmit the second device link profile tothe first printing device from a third location that either is the sameas the second location, or is different than each of the first andsecond locations.

An example method of operating a plurality of printing devicescomprising: providing a plurality of printing devices, each at aseparate location; operating at least one of the plurality of printingdevices; storing a plurality of device link profiles and a plurality ofreference set of color values at a location remote from the printingdevices, each of the plurality of device link profiles associated withone of the plurality of printing devices; for the operating printingdevice, measuring one or more color spaces of a first color target atthe location of the printing device to generate measured color values;transmitting the measured color values to a location remote from theoperating printing device along with an identifier associated with theoperating printing device; receiving the measured color value and theassociated identifier at the remote location; based on the associatedidentifier, accessing one of the plurality of device link profiles;comparing the measured color values of the one or more color spaces witha first reference set of color values to determine one or more colorvariances for the operating printing device; determining whether the oneor more color variances are within their respective tolerances; and ifthe one or more color variances are not within their respectivetolerances, then: identifying, using at least one of the measurements ofthe one or more color spaces, the first reference set of color values,and the one or more color variances, a first device link profileassociated with the operating printing device; generating a seconddevice link profile associated with the operating printing device,wherein the second device link profile is based on at least the firstdevice link profile and the one or more color variances; associating thesecond device link profile with the operating printing device using thetransmitted identifier so that the first device link profile stored atthe remote location is no longer associated with the operating printingdevice; transmitting the second device link profile based on theidentifier to the operating printing device; and replacing the firstdevice link profile with the second device link profile at the operatingprinting device; and continuing to operate the operating printingdevice.

In some examples, the steps of measuring include comparing and replacingoccur during ongoing operation of the at least one of the plurality ofprinting devices. In some examples, the method includes issuing a queryfor the second device link profile; and wherein the step of transmittingthe second device link profile based on the identifier to the operatingprinting device comprises automatically pushing the second device linkprofile to the operating printing device when the query identifies thesecond device link profile.

An example method includes printing, using a printer, a color target ona substrate during a production run of a printing operation; measuringfirst color space values of the color target using a spectrophotometer;in response to measuring the first color space values, comparing thefirst measured color space values to reference color space values toidentify a difference between the first measured color space values andthe reference color space values; comparing the difference to athreshold range; in response to the difference being outside of therange, adjusting color values during the production run to enable adifference between second measured color space values and the referencecolor values to be within the threshold range.

In some examples, the printing of the color target includes controllingthe printer using a digital front end. In some examples, the colortarget is a first color target and the substrate is a first substrate,further including determining an interval at which a second color targetis to be printed to a second substrate during the production run. Insome examples, the method includes printing, using the printer, thesecond color target on the second substrate at the determined interval.In some examples, the method includes measuring the second color spacevalues using the spectrophotometer. In some examples, the interval isbased on time, a sheet count, or a product type. In some examples, thesubstrate is a first substrate, further including executing a print jobduring the production run by printing indicia on a second substrate andmoving the second substrate to a stacker. In some examples, the secondsubstrate includes a web. In some examples, the second substrateincludes multiple-separate sheets. In some examples, the substrateincludes a proof tray. In some examples, the measuring of the firstcolor space values includes automatically measuring the first colorspace values of the color target.

An example apparatus includes a printer to print a color target on asubstrate during a production run of a printing operation; aspectrophotometer to measure first color space values of the colortarget; and a processor to: compare the first measured color spacevalues to reference color space values to identify a difference betweenthe first measured color space values and the reference color spacevalues; compare the difference to a threshold range; and in response tothe difference being outside of the threshold range, adjust color valuesduring the production run to enable a difference between second measuredcolor space values and the reference color values to be within thethreshold range. In some examples the apparatus includes a digital frontend to cause the printer to print a color target on a substrate. In someexamples, the color target is a first color target and the substrate isa first substrate, wherein the processor is to determine an interval atwhich a second color target is to be printed to a second substrateduring the production run. In some examples, the printer is to print thesecond color target on the second substrate at the determined interval.In some examples, the spectrophotometer is to measure the second colorspace values. In some examples, the interval is based on time, a sheetcount, or a product type. In some examples, the substrate includes aproof tray.

An example method includes generating a color target during a productionrun of a printing operation; measuring first color space values of thecolor target; in response to measuring the first color space values,comparing the first measured color space values to reference color spacevalues to identify a difference between the first measured color spacevalues and the reference color space values; comparing the difference toa threshold range; and in response to the difference being outside ofthe threshold range, adjusting color values during the production run toenable a difference between second measured color space values and thereference color values to be within the threshold range. In someexamples, the generating of the color target during the production runincludes generating the color target using a user interface.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings of thevarious illustrative exemplary embodiments may be combined in whole orin part in some or all of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. Inaddition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the variousillustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted, at least in part,and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the otherelements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.

Any spatial references such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,”“below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,”“upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,”“right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,”“bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration onlyand do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structuredescribed above.

In several exemplary embodiments, while different steps, processes, andprocedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more ofthe steps, one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of theprocedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneouslyand/or sequentially. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps,processes and/or procedures may be merged into one or more steps,processes and/or procedures.

In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the operational stepsin each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, somefeatures of the present disclosure may be employed without acorresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of theabove-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in wholeor in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodimentsand/or variations.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detailabove, the embodiments described are exemplary only and are notlimiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manyother modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in theexemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, allsuch modifications, changes and/or substitutions are intended to beincluded within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended tocover the structures described herein as performing the recited functionand not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: generating, using a firstdevice profile, a color target during a production run of a printingoperation; measuring first color space values of the color target usinga color measurement device; in response to measuring the first colorspace values, comparing the first measured color space values toreference color space values to identify a difference between the firstmeasured color space values and the reference color space values;comparing the difference to a tolerance range; in response to thedifference being outside of the tolerance range, generating a seconddevice profile to enable a difference between second measured colorspace values and the reference color values to be within the tolerancerange; calibrating a printer based on the second device profile; andcontinuing the printing operation using the second device profile. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the generating of the color target duringthe production run includes printing, using a printer, the color targeton a substrate.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the substrate is aproof tray.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the substrate iscalibration paper stock.
 5. The method of claim 1, further includinggenerating a report including the difference between the first measuredcolor space values and the reference color space values.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the generating of the color target during theproduction run includes the generating of the color target during theproduction run using an interface.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thecolor measurement device is a spectrometer.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the first device profile is associated with a first substratetype and the second device profile is associated with a second substratetype.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first substrate type isdifferent from the second substrate type.
 10. An apparatus, comprising:a printer to print a color target on a substrate during a production runof a printing operation; a color measurement device to measure firstcolor space values of the color target; and a processor to: compare thefirst measured color space values to reference color space values toidentify a difference between the first measured color space values andthe reference color space values; compare the difference to a tolerancerange; in response to the difference being outside of the tolerancerange, generate a second device profile to enable a difference betweensecond measured color space values and the reference color values to bewithin the tolerance range; calibrate the printer based on the seconddevice profile; and continue the printing operation using the seconddevice profile.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further including adigital front end to cause the printer to print a color target on thesubstrate.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the color target is afirst color target and the substrate is a first substrate, wherein theprocessor is to determine an interval at which a second color target isto be printed to a second substrate during the production run.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the printer is to print the second colortarget on the second substrate at the determined interval.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the color measurement device is tomeasure the second color space values.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the interval is based on at least one of time, a sheet count, ora product type.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the firstsubstrate is a first substrate type and the second substrate is a secondsubstrate type.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the substrate isa proof tray.
 18. A method, comprising: printing, using a printer and afirst device profile, a color target on a substrate during a productionrun of a printing operation; measuring first color space values of thecolor target using a spectrophotometer; in response to measuring thefirst color space values, comparing the first measured color spacevalues to reference color space values to identify a difference betweenthe first measured color space values and the reference color spacevalues; comparing the difference to a tolerance range; in response tothe difference being outside of the tolerance range, generating a seconddevice profile to enable a difference between second measured colorspace values and the reference color values to be within the tolerancerange; calibrating the printer based on the second device profile; andcontinuing the printing operation using the printer and the seconddevice profile.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first deviceprofile is associated with a first substrate type and the second deviceprofile is associate with second substrate type.
 20. The method of claim18, wherein printing the color target on the substrate during theproduction run including generating the color target using a userinterface.